Buick Encore GX vs Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2024 Buick Encore GX was a noticeable improvement over its predecessors. Drawing inspiration from the stunning Wildcat concept of 2022, the refreshed model sported a completely new front facade. Sleek daytime running lights perched above the grill were complemented by angular LED lamps positioned lower on either side, making for a captivating visual appeal. Not to be overlooked, the redesigned Buick logo graced the front, adding an up-to-date touch. Especially striking was our test vehicle in the top-of-the-line Avenir trim, which boasted a unique grill and chrome trim. The rear styling was mostly unchanged from the previous year except for new LED tail lights on the upper trims. The overall aesthetic was considered to be quite handsome, particularly on models equipped with the available 19-inch wheels.

Buick's color palette for the Encore GX was impressive, featuring vibrant hues like brilliant red, deep blue, maroon, and even an almost-orange shade called Copper Ice Metallic. Many of these colors offered the added option of a black roof, black mirrors, and black roof rails, giving consumers more customization opportunities.

The interior of the Encore GX underwent a significant redesign with the relocation of the HVAC vents making space for a new 19-inch glass panel that housed both the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen. Despite some operational quirks when the car was running, this large glass panel created a premium, tech-savvy appearance. However, in true GM fashion, there were some interior elements that felt cheap, and the color options were limited to black or cream. Nevertheless, given the price point, these were minor complaints.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid aimed for a conservative yet technically compelling look. Priced affordably, starting at $33,700, the base model Sport Hybrid displayed black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim for a sporty vibe. However, the interior felt relatively basic compared to the latest trends. Upgrading to the leather-lined Sport-L Hybrid at $36,700 offered interior enhancements, while the Sport Touring Hybrid stood at the top of the lineup with a price tag of $39,850.

Our test vehicle, the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid, featured a Canyon River Blue paint that exuded sophistication. While conservative, the styling aimed to look timeless but carried too much visual weight over the front wheels. The Sport Touring’s tusks framing the lower air intake were not universally appreciated. The rear quarter view was the most flattering, with taillights reminiscent of Volvo models and an overall tidy design that added an upscale touch. The 19-inch gloss black wheels exclusive to Sport Touring trims added some shine but blended into darker paint colors, diminishing their visual impact.

The interior of the CR-V Sport Touring was a showcase of quality. Leather seats with orange contrast stitching offered a sense of refinement. Features like a soft-touch dashboard pad, metal mesh covering the air vents, and knurled metallic trim details contributed to the cabin's premium feel within the compact SUV segment.

Under the hood, the 2024 Buick Encore GX featured no new modifications, retaining its existing engines. The base Preferred trim came with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.

Higher trims offered a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite a responsive feel and a 0-to-60 mph acceleration time of about nine seconds, the Encore GX was not particularly quick and exhibited some roughness on take-off. Highway passing required patience as the transmission was slow to downshift, taking approximately two seconds to respond—a considerable delay in critical moments. Although a smooth-riding suspension and a selectable AWD system were commendable for city driving, rival systems like Honda's could automatically transfer power to the rear wheels when needed, offering more seamless operation.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid differentiated itself with standard hybrid power in its Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring trims. It featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system coupling an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. One motor served for propulsion, and the other acted as a generator/starter motor. With 204 horsepower delivered to either the front or all four wheels, the CR-V hybrid system was complex yet usually operated transparently.

Though rated by the EPA at 37 mpg in combined driving for the Sport Touring trim, our test vehicle significantly underperformed, achieving only 32.4 mpg on a mountainous test route. Despite the lower-than-expected efficiency, the CR-V provided a quiet, compliant ride with commendable grip and predictable handling. The heavy steering effort, even in Normal mode, was a notable observation. While overall, the CR-V was easy to drive and indicated flashes of Honda's fun driving philosophy, it did not cater to those seeking off-road capabilities or an exhilarating driving experience.

As a subcompact SUV, the 2024 Buick Encore GX offered limited utility but still aligned well with its competition. It could tow up to 1,000 pounds and featured an available hands-free liftgate for convenient access to its cargo area. The Encore GX provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 50.2 cubes with the rear seats folded. Additionally, the vehicle could accommodate items up to eight feet long when the front passenger seat was folded down, proving useful for transporting longer objects like surfboards.

Interior comfort included optional heated seats and a heated steering wheel, although seat ventilation was not available. The base models came with basic two-way power-adjustable seats, while the top Avenir trim or the Comfort package on lower trims offered eight-way adjustable seats. An available seven-speaker Bose audio system enhanced the in-car entertainment experience.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function. It featured quality materials, an intuitive control layout, comfortable seating, and ample cargo space. Every CR-V Hybrid came with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, which offered excellent support. The front passenger seat mirrored the driver's ergonomic design but had a limited adjustment range unless opting for power operation in the Sport Hybrid trim. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on the test vehicle, enhancing comfort during colder days. All hybrid models featured dual-zone climate control.

One of the CR-V’s significant strengths was its rear access. The rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, making it easy for new parents to install rear-facing child safety seats. Adults found the rear seats comfortable, with high bottom cushions offering excellent leg support and adjustable backrest angles. Rear passengers also benefited from air conditioning vents and USB-C charging ports.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Sport Touring's hands-free power rear liftgate revealed a 34.7 cubic foot cargo area, the smallest among CR-V models. The Sport and Sport-L provided 36.3 cubic feet, approaching midsize SUV territory. With the rear seats folded, all hybrid models offered a maximum of 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space, placing the CR-V Hybrid among the leaders in its class for storage capacity.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX featured an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, all under a single glass pane. While aesthetically pleasing at first, the functionality fell short with much of the visible area remaining unused when illuminated, leading to a perception of malfunction. However, the GX was equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, catering to tech-savvy users. Additional conveniences included USB-A and USB-C ports, an available wireless charging pad, and a 120-volt outlet. A standout feature was the rear camera mirror, providing a wider-angle view of the scene behind the vehicle.

The infotainment system in the Encore GX was straightforward and user-friendly, featuring tiles for essential functions like smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

In comparison, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Though functional, these screens were smaller and less impressive. The available 9-inch infotainment display didn’t offer much of an upgrade in size.

Higher trims like the Sport-L and Sport Touring included features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a premium audio system, enhancing the overall tech experience. The test vehicle's 12-speaker Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality. Bluetooth pairing and running Apple CarPlay wirelessly were seamless operations.

However, Honda's voice recognition system was basic and struggled with conversational commands. Nevertheless, the CR-V’s walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind by locking the doors as the driver walked away with the key fob.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX was equipped with Buick’s Driver Confidence package, which included essential driver assistance features such as lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was standard across all trims. Optional features included rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera.

However, the car lacked customizable settings for automatic braking, which could only be toggled on or off. Unique safety features included Teen Driver, which allowed parents to monitor their child’s driving habits through a password-protected screen, issuing a report card. Additionally, the Buckle to Drive feature prevented the vehicle from shifting out of park if the driver’s seatbelt was not fastened, though it could be disabled if desired.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2024 Buick Encore GX a full five-star overall safety rating, with five stars for both frontal and side crash ratings and four stars for rollover. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet rated the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received a Good rating for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention involving cars and pedestrians, with Acceptable or Marginal ratings for headlights depending on trim, and an Acceptable rating for the LATCH system.

Similarly, Honda equipped every 2024 CR-V Hybrid with Honda Sensing, a robust suite of advanced driving assistance systems including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and driver monitoring system. Other standard features comprised rear-seat reminders, automatic high-beam headlights, and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking control.

Our tests found Honda Sensing to be highly reliable, particularly the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist, which performed smoothly and accurately. There were minor inconsistencies, such as the lane-departure warning being triggered by skid marks on the road, but overall, the systems were effective.

The 2024 Honda CR-V had not been rated by the NHTSA at the time of writing. However, the 2023 model received the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, which was expected to carry forward into 2024.